Back in May 2021, Jose Augusto stepped into the Bellator light heavyweight tournament as a late replacement against Anthony Johnson and rocked the two-time UFC title contender before eventually losing in the second round.
“Gugu”, who is finally returning to Bellator 276, after almost a year of being away from the sport, said that he will not go out of his ways to fight Johnson again — at least for now.
“There is no bitter taste [from that loss],” Augusto said to MMA Fighting before Saturday’s match with Alex Polizzi, St. Louis. I have no regrets over that fight. Quite the opposite, really. This was my first fight where I felt financially valued. The purse was nice, and it was an honor to fight Anthony Johnson. I watched his fights and cheered for him, and it was fun to fight him.
“If it happens that we fight again, cool, cool, but I wasn’t left with a bitter taste. Quite the opposite. I admire him even more. Who knows? Maybe he will return to fight and get the title. That would be .”
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Augusto won’t make the same amount of money he was paid for the grand prix bout when he faces Polizzi this Saturday, but is still “very happy” about his compensation.
A hand injury he suffered against “Rumble” forced him to stay on the sidelines for longer than expected, and Augusto ended up gaining way too much weight.
” I was too out of form, but it’s okay now,” Augusto chuckled, explaining that he had reached 255 lbs during his break — 22 pound heavier than normal. The Brazilian fighter often competed as a heavyweight in his native country before joining Bellator in 2021.
“[Fighting at heavyweight] was always a good option for me because I love to eat, and in my mind, 205-pounders and heavyweights have knockout power, but heavyweights usually aren’t that skilled. I found it safer and felt happier [at heavyweight], even if they hit harder, because I relied on my speed and skill.”
Polizzi, a former LFA light heavyweight titleholder who has gone 3-1 so far in Bellator highlighted by a victory over ex-champion Rafael Carvalho in his debut, has only lost once in MMA. However, Augusto doesn’t see a lot of “surprises” coming his way at Bellator 276.
“He likes to grapple and scramble, and I prefer to use my feet to try and hurt [my opponent],”. “I see the fight going two ways: If he can impose his rhythm, he’ll win the fight, but I don’t see him knocking me out. Maybe a submission, I don’t know. He won’t touch me if I can dictate my rhythm. It all comes down to who is more .”
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